Event report RM 400:Event report RM 300 11/17/08 5:28 PM Page 84

15th Annual

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Event Report:
CRESTED BUTTE TO OURAY, COLORADO

P
arts Unlimited’s longest continuing dealer ride is the
Rocky Mountain 400, which reached a milestone this
year with its 15th annual running. During those 15
years, hundreds, perhaps now thousands have
participated and everyone who has been on the ride
once can’t wait to return. There are a few “die-hards” who
have participated from the beginning and will likely do so
forever. Some of have been fortunate enough to watch this
ride grow from a handful of individuals getting together to
ride and discuss the motorcycle industry to the hundreds of
industry execs and dealers who feel privileged to be invited
and earn a spot on the legendary Rocky Mountain 400 ride.
With the support of Thor, Moose and Alpinestars, as well
as other key suppliers, qualifying dealers were treated to
several days of riding and camaraderie in the beautiful Rocky
Mountains of Colorado. Day one; get checked in, bike tech
inspection, talk to vendors about products and pick up some
free or discounted swag. Day 2-4; hit the trail for three great
days of riding in the Rockies, through woods, mountains and
over passes as high as 13,000 feet. Once back at the home It may not look like he’s flying high, but dealer Brian
Koster of Seminole Powersports is actually lofting his
base in Crested Butte, a great event-capping banquet was
front wheel at 13,000 feet.
held to recognize many that made the event the success that
it is. Ask almost any guest and you’ll be told this may be the
best trail ride in the world. Check out just a few of the many
highlights from the 15th annual Rocky Mountain 400… It may look like a victory shot at the top of Everest and
it was almost as hard to get there with the snow closing
in, but the sign at the top of the 12,800-foot Engineer
Pass is a must-do photo opportunity.

Engineer Pass is well above the tree-line and the view in

all directions is spectacular.

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Event Report:

(Above) The parking lot of the Three Seasons Resort in Upper

Crested Butte converts to “Performance Alley” for all of the
RM400 pre- and post-ride activities.

(Left) Plenty of bags full of swag await every RM400 participant on

Performance Alley. Here, Thor’s Steve Thinger (left) talks goggles
with a few RM400 attendees.

(Below left) Hundreds of bikes of all brands are ridden at the

Rocky Mountain 400, from hand-built exotics to bone stock
dual-sport machines. The leveling factor is that it is not a race
and is all fun.

(Below) Dealer Paul Bianchi of Hollister Honda Powerhouse enjoys

the Colorado woods with Rodney Smith, Larry Ward, and Parts
Unlimited’s Paul Griffin. The ride itself is all about having fun and
absorbing the scenery. Often you’ll see something amazing in the
distance and your guide will take you there. After crossing over
Engineer Pass, riders choose several trails towards Ouray.

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Historic Ouray was the hub of this year’s ride.

Jason and Keith Alosi of Reno Motorsports proudly pose by the Engineer Pass
sign. The snow got so heavy by the final day that Engineer Pass was closed and
the crew had to find alternative routes out of Ouray.

Celebrity riders this year included former

factory rider and Supercross great Larry
Ward (left) as well as the legendary
Rodney Smith. Rodney, with 14 AMA
National Off-Road Championships, includ-
ing five GNCC titles, and multiple ISDE
Gold Medals, showed up with a Suzuki
RM-Z450 which he converted himself for
dual-sport use. Larry Ward rode a
tricked-out Honda CRX450 built for the
ride by Yoshimura.

In honor of his retirement Bob Maynard was presented an AARP

Kawasaki Team Green has been a great supporter of the custom bike complete with training wheels and catheter, plus a
RM400 over the years. They’ll assist riders or work on all personal nurse. Bob is retiring from Thor but says he will be
brands, with money collected donated to the COHVCO fund. back for the Rocky Mountain 400 as long as he can ride.

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Event Report:

(Right) In honor of Bob Maynard’s

retirement, the FMF crew
presented Bob with a special
piece of artwork titled “Return to
Baja” which depicts Bob and his
posse off-road riding on Rascal
Scooters.

(Left) Doug Drussel was the

recipient of this year’s RM400
Rider of the Year award as the
rider who best exemplifies the
spirit of the Rocky Mountain 400.

(Right) Scott Link (left) presents the pres-

tigious RM400 Dealer of the Year award to
David Ketchum, of Escondido Cycle Center.

(Far right) Sometimes we forget that

there is a person behind the lens of all
those great photos. Scott Link presents
ace photographer Kinney Jones with a
much-deserved award for his photography
of races, racers, products and events on
behalf of Parts Unlimited. Little known
fact…Jones crashed on his street bike just
days before attending the Rocky Mountain
400, and despite suffering four broken
ribs, he rode over all the passes, and
carried a backpack with 40 pounds of
photo equipment.

2008 RM400 PARTICIPANTS

Name Business/Function Name Business/Function Name Business/Function

ALLEN, KEITH MOTO400 BLANKENSHIP, DAN GUIDE CLEMENCE, DAVID RAZEE MOTORCYCLE
ALLEN, DICK GUIDE BLOCKER, TERRY ACTION MOTORSPORTS COLOMBERO, JOE PARTS MAGAZINE
ALOSI, JASON RENO MOTORSPORTS BODNAR, JOHN MEDIC CORNELIUS, BRIAN MOTOREX USA / PARAGON
ALOSI, KEITH RENO MOTORSPORTS BOSCH, ADAM PRO SOURCE MOTORSPORTS CRIDER, PHIL PARTS UNLIMITED
ALSPACH, BILL GUIDE BOWEN, RON PIRELLI TIRE CULOS, JOHN PARTS UNLIMITED
AMATO, VINCENT HANOVER POWERSPORTS BREWER, ERIC PARTS UNLIMITED DICKINSON, STEVE PARTS UNLIMITED
AUGUSTINE, STEVE MEDIC BRIDGES, CHARLES KAWASAKI OF HICKORY DRUSSEL, DOUG GUIDE
BAKER, MORRIS FAMILY POWERSPORTS BRIGHT, SCOTT GUIDE DURFEE, BRENT DUNLOP TIRE
BALDWIN, BRANDON MOTION PRO BRUNO, THOMAS BROTHERS POWERSPORTS EDWARDS, FRANK DP BRAKES
BAXLEY, JAMES BAXLEY'S MOTORCYCLE PARTS BURK, BRADY PARTS UNLIMITED EGO, MIKE PARTS UNLIMITED
BAXLEY, ROB BAXLEY'S MOTORCYCLE PARTS CAMERON, BILL SKAGIT POWERSPORTS ENGELMAN, JEFF GUIDE
BAYERL, JOEL AMS / BKT / EXCELLA CAMERON, SCOTT PARTS UNLIMITED ERIKSON, MATT PARTS UNLIMITED
BEAR, CRAIG ACTION MOTORSPORTS CAMPBELL, TED LEO VINCE USA ESCOBAR, DEMETRIO BELLFLOWER MOTORSPORTS
BIANCHI, PAUL HOLLISTER HONDA POWERHOUSE CARL, SAM MISC. EVANS, DONNIE PARTS UNLIMITED
BJERICE, CURTIS CARL'S CYCLE SALES CLARK, SCOTT MOTOWORLD OF EL CAJON FISHER, BART WE ALL RIDE M/C GEAR
BLACKWELL, GREG PARTS UNLIMITED CLAYTON, JOHN ZOOM CYCLES FITCH, DAN MOOSE
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Name Business/Function Name Business/Function Name Business/Function

FLEMING, SUE GUIDE KETCHAM, DAVE ESCONDIDO CYCLE CENTER REID, JEFF MICHELIN
FLEMING, GREG GUIDE KING, PERRY PARTS MAGAZINE RICHARDS, DAN RICHARDS HONDA - YAMAHA
FOSTER, NICK BROTHERS POWERSPORTS KOSTER, BRIAN SEMINOLE POWERSPORTS RIGGLE, DON GUIDE
FOSTER, JIM KILLEEN POWER SPORTS KRANIG, ANDREW VENDOR ROSENBERG, ROBERT VEY'S POWERSPORTS
FRANKS, JARED BTO SPORTS LABOULIERE, AMY Z1R RUHNKE, MIKE FAMILY POWERSPORTS
GABBERT, CORY CYCLE HUTT LACH, PAUL KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP. RUTLEDGE, ERIK MOTOCOMM
GIENNIE, GREG COLORADO POWERSPORTS LAIVINS, KEN CYCRA RACING SYSTEMS SCHOLL, CHARLES CYCLE SHACK NORTH
GLADWIN, GARY MADISON DISTRIBUTING LEACH, MATT KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN SCHUSTER, JAMES C & L COMPANIES
GONZALES, DON PARTS UNLIMITED LEIDENHEIMER, JIM ROCKY MOUNTAIN CYCLE SEXTON, STEVE CYCLE SHACK NORTH
GOWLAND, DAVE THOR LINGLE, JOSHUA ACTION MOTORSPORTS SKEEN, JEFF ALPINESTARS
GRIFFIN, PAUL PARTS UNLIMITED LINK, SCOTT ALPINESTARS SKELTON, BRAD PARTS UNLIMITED
GROEN, JESSE CANYON HONDA LOCKNECKER, DAN GUIDE SMITH, DAVID ALLEN KAWASKI SPORTS CENTER
HAWKINS, JIM ESCONDIDO CYCLE CENTER LONGSTRETH, RYAN CYCRA RACING SYSTEMS SMITH, ANDY KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN
HENEISEN, SCOTT PRO SOURCE MOTORSPORTS MALMQUIST, JARED MOTOWORLD OF EL CAJON SMITH, RODNEY GUEST
HILDERBRAND, JC MOTORCYCLE SUPERSTORE MARSHALL, RICHARD KILLEEN POWER SPORTS SOMMERVOLD, KATHY PARTS UNLIMITED
HILL, CURLY PARTS UNLIMITED MARTINEAU, TOM WISECO PISTON COMPANY STENCIL, JENI PARTS UNLIMITED
HINSON, RON HINSON ENTERPRISES, INC. MAYNARD, BOB THOR STEVENS, PAUL PARTS UNLIMITED
HODLICK, TOM MOTION ENTERPRISES MILLER, LEE ROSEVILLE CYCLE CENTER THIEL, DARYL SEMINOLE POWERSPORTS
HOLLAND, TIMMY SUNRISE HONDA MILLS, PETER ATLANTA MOTOR WORLD THINGER, STEVE PARTS UNLIMITED
HOWERZYL, MATT CANYON HONDA MILLS, LARRY DP BRAKES AND CLUTCHES THORWALDSON, RICH ROSEVILLE CYCLE
HUDDLESTON, TIM CARL'S CYCLE SALES MOON, LANCE PARTS UNLIMITED TIMS, GERALD MID AMERICA POWERSPORTS
HURD, JOE MOTOREX USA MORRISON, KEVIN PARTS UNLIMITED TUCKER, NEIL CYCLE SHACK
HYDE, STEVE MT HOLLY POWERSPORTS MUELLNER, DOUG FMF RACING UPCHURCH, KENNETH COLORADO OFF HIGHWAY COALITION
IKEMOTO, MITCH FMF RACING NIXON, RICH SAN DIEGO SPORT CYCLES URFER, PETE WE ALL RIDE M/C GEAR
JEPSEN, ERIC GUIDE NORDIN, REID KAWASAKI TEAM GREEN VACCARO, ERIC ESCONDIDO CYCLE CENTER
JOHNSON, BILL GUIDE OAKES, SCOTT NO TOIL INDUSTRIES VAN ZUYLEN, STEVE PARTS UNLIMITED
JOHNSTON, DAVE PRO SOURCE MOTORSPORTS OTT, RUSSELL PRO SOURCE MOTORSPORTS VLASICAK, DAVE GUIDE
JONES, RONNIE HIGH DESERT HONDA OVERBY, MICHAEL LONG BEACH MOTORSPORTS VOORHIES, STEVEN MICHELIN TIRE
JONES, KINNEY KINNEY JONES PHOTOGRAPHY PAVLIK, BRIAN BELLFLOWER MOTORSPORTS WALLING, JASON PARTS UNLIMITED
JONES, RAY SHAWNEE HONDA PIZZINO, AL WISECO PISTON COMPANY, INC. WARD, LARRY YOSHIMURA
JONES, CORLY SHAWNEE HONDA POPP, DENNIS APEX SPORTS WEHR, RONNIE PARTS UNLIMITED
JONES, DUSTIN SUNRISE HONDA POWELL, DENNIS MOTO400 WELBORN, TERRELL RT CYCLE SUZ YAM INC.
JUHNKE, NEIL MOTOWORLD OF EL CAJON PROKUPEK, STEVEN KAWASAKI OF HICKORY WEST, MIKE KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP.
JUHNKE, BRIAN MOTOWORLD OF EL CAJON PULLIAM, MARK LEO VINCE USA WHITMIRE, JOSH PIRELLI
JUMP, JOHNNY K & N ENGINEERING RAY, PHIL HONDA - KAWASAKI OF MODESTO WILLIS, ED MOTION PRO
KAPFER, NICHOLAS DUNLOP TIRES RAYMOND, RYAN YOSHIMURA WOODS, JIM DELAMO M/S
KENT, TOM TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA REED, ROSS MID AMERICA POWERSPORTS ZOMERDYKE, JAMES THOR

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Yoshimura Project Bike

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HONDA CRF450X

With almost every conceivable aftermarket accessory bolted

L
arry Ward had one of the most amazing, and long-lived careers
as a Supercross and Motocross racer in American history. on along with a lot of bling, the dual sport/off-road
Yoshimura Honda looks like a show bike. But it is actually
Though retired, he still loves to ride and when he was invited to
every inch a potent off road weapon.
join the Parts Unlimited Rocky Mountain 400, he jumped at the
chance. But he needed a bike, so he called his old pal Ryan
Yoshimura is famous for building some of the fastest roadrace
Raymond at Yoshimura who decided to build the ultimate Colorado
machines in the world, but they’ve been involved in off-road
dual sport for Larry. for a long time as well. Yoshimura makes excellent exhaust
Ryan began the project with a Honda CRF450X. “We wanted to be systems for 4-stroke dirt bikes.
different and build a real Open class off-road bike,” said Ryan. “Our
motor guys came up with this package since the bike was built for
Colorado. In the high altitude you need all the power you can get. It
was a great showing to have Larry Ward ride the bike at the RM400.
This was our (Yoshimura) first year attending this event. Yoshimura is
well known for their Road Race/street products, but we’re not just a
street company. We develop and market a lot of products for dirt
bikes and ATVs as well as street bikes. In addition to exhaust systems,
we offer three different engine packages for the Honda CRF450R and
X as well as other off-road/MX Dirt bikes.”
The engine packages Ryan spoke of are offered by Yoshimura R&D
and come in the following specs:

 Stage 1 Engine Kit: Port and Polish Head–increases intake and

exhaust flow, increasing overall horsepower; Serdi
Machine–Valve seat re-facing and valve job.
 Stage 2 Engine Kit: All Stage 1 services included; Yoshimura
Camshafts, ground by Yoshimura Japan from Billet Blanks; CP
High Compression Piston.
 Stage 2A Engine Kit: All stage 2 services included; Yoshimura
assembly included.
 Stage 3 Engine Kit: All Stage 2 services; Maximum performance
90
head work and porting; Yoshimura assembly; Transmission
Blueprinting included–Transmission gears are de-burred using
Isotropic Superfinish process to decrease friction, and increase
power delivery.
For the Colorado bike Yoshimura used the Stage 3 engine kit
($2,525.00) mated to a Yoshimura Titanium/Carbon Fiber RS-2 Pro
Series Full System ($895.00) with breathing filtered by a Twin Air Dual
Event report RM 400 (original):Event report RM 300 11/19/08 11:51 AM Page 91

Drink in the left side of the Yoshimura project

bike. The IMS tank allows for greater range
then stock. Can you believe this is actually a
legal dual sport machine?

The heart of the beast is the Yoshimura Stage

3 engine kit which supplied enormous power,
even at 13,000 feet. And yes, the frame has
been powder-coated black.

stage filter ($30.95). To give the big beast some off road legs an IMS Racing 3.2
gallon tank ($274.95) was installed as well as some Pro Series Foot Pegs
($96.00) for comfort. Clutch duties went to Hinson Racing for a Clutch Basket
($239.99) and Clutch Cover ($159.99).
Larry has always been particular about his bars, so Renthal 971 Fat Bars
($89.95) were employed for “Big Bird.” Regina USA kicked in with a Regina
520 Z-Ring Chain ($124.95) and the tires came from Dunlop, a 90/100-21
D745, and 110/100-18 D756.
The result of all of this was a cool-looking and even better performing off-
road machine, custom designed for the Rocky Mountains. Check it out…

Larry Ward had a ball

riding this machine in the
Rocky Mountain 400. It
performed great in the
woods…

Through the water…

And through the snow at

13,000 feet.

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